The best quality ak/akm on the market right now is the brand new russian izmash saiga. Its a brand new russian ak/akm rifle not someones butchered rework. I have them in 223 and in 308win. We benchrested my 308win saiga at 100yds with the orginal sights and using surplus south african 308 ball ammo she shot 1 1/2'' groups. Some guys on the www.saiga-12.com sight are shooting 1/2'' moa's with better ammo. The russians at izmash focused on making the saiga's more accurate than all there ak brothers. Some guys who own both the saiga and the vepr say the saiga is a tad more accurate for less money(cost). Saiga's rock.....

VEPR all the way, best made Kalashnikov on the market. It's Russian made at the Molot factory. Based on the RPK (super heavy receiver, trunion, bolt and barrel) I just picked up a .308 VEPR 20-02 and it's AMAZING!! Turkish walnut thumbhole stock is a work of art. Out of the box I was getting 2" groups at 100yrds using a bag rest. Mount and scope on the way so I'll update after...I've been told it'll shoot 1", I just cant see any better at 100yrds w/o a scope.
Oh and they're on sale at Centerfire for $499- $799 10/07/12) get 1 while you can-theyre more accurate than alot of AR's for half the price and feature the AK's rugged reliability and easy tear down.

I like my Saiga, it appears to have been made off the military side of the assembly lines with the receiver dimples, the chamber isn't stepped, the only thing lacking was the muzzle wasn't threaded. Converted it myself, it's fast becoming my favorite rifle ever, and I've been shooting a few decades. Modded mine to take standard AK mags, ten minute job plus the bullet guide but it will still use the Saiga mags as well with a tiny mod to the front of them.

I have heard good things about Saiga. You could always go American made and get a AK from Rock River Arms. Everything RRA makes is badazz! Most AKs will barely hit a barn when you are inside it. Not known for accuracy compared to the AR. I did shoot a Serbian AK and it wasn't too bad. Probably the most accurate AK I have shot.